“The Fortune Teller,” crafted by the renowned artist Caravaggio between 1598 and 1599, is a captivating oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Baroque art movement. The dimensions of this artwork are 99 by 131 centimeters, and it falls under the genre of genre painting. Currently, it resides in two prominent locations: the Louvre in Paris, France, and the Capitoline Museums in Rome, Italy.
The artwork depicts an interaction between a richly dressed young man and a fortune teller. The young man, adorned in a flamboyant hat with a plume and a vibrant, detailed outfit, appears engaged and curious as the fortune teller reads his palm. The fortune teller, clad in a modest yet distinctive attire, focuses intently on his hand. The composition and use of light and shadow in the artwork effectively emphasize the expressions and gestures of both figures, drawing the viewer into the intimate moment of fortune-telling. This piece exemplifies Caravaggio’s masterful ability to convey a narrative through vivid characters and realistic details.
